Programme & Abstracts :: Registration Details :: Accommodation
THE CLOTHED BODY IN THE ANCIENT WORLD
17-19 January 2002Sally Pointer
National Museum & Gallery of Wales'The Roman Makeover'
One of the great pleasures of researching cosmetic and perfume use in the classical period is the great wealth of written as well as physical evidence that is available. In a few cases, the evidence is sufficient to allow tentative reconstructions of key preparations to be made. Experimental archaeology of this type is always fraught with difficulties, as even the most complete early 'recipe' does not provide absolutely indisputable ingredients, quantities and methods. However, careful assessment of the evidence and careful attention to the sourcing of ingredients and the preparation methods involved, can allow a plausible working reconstruction to be attempted.
This talk/demonstration hopes to provoke further discussion of the role of experimental interpretation by presenting a comprehensive 'makeover' based on my recent reassessments of the evidence left by such writers as Theophrastus, Pliny and Dioscorides and the physical archaeological evidence. A modern woman will be transformed into a fashionable Roman stage by stage using reconstructed cosmetics and perfumes and the preparations and end result will be available for inspection. It is my hope to provide both an interesting and entertaining session.
Follow this link to see photographs taken at this presentation.